Back in 1991 when I attended the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada, I met a Born Again Christian student named Michelle. When I found out that she attended a university bible study group, I asked if I could attend. She said yes and a week later I was introduced to the group. I knew that they would have a problem with a Mormon in the group, but it was a nondenominational gathering and I wanted to find out how they would react to me being there.

At a meeting with about 10 students, the leader, an assertive young man in his mid-twenties, asked me questions to find out more about my beliefs. He asked, “Which church do you go to?” I replied, “A nearby church.” He asked, “Have you accepted Jesus Christ?” I replied, “Yes, I’ve accepted him as my Lord and Savior.” He asked, “Do you believe in the bible?” I replied, “Yes, I believe it is the word of God.”

I answered all his questions truthfully with the intent of showing the group that I shared many of their religious beliefs. In fact the beliefs we had in common outnumbered our differences. However, I knew that eventually they would discover that I am a Mormon. The questions continued.

“Why do you want to join our group?” I replied, “Because I like discussing the bible with others.” Then he went back the original question: “What is the name of your church?” “The Church of Jesus Christ,” I replied. I could see the wheels turning in their heads as they tried to figure out what church that was. Then one girl hit on it. “You mean the church of latter-day saints!?” she blurted. I replied, “That’s right.”

“So you’re a Mormon,” the leader said. He continued: “You can’t join our group.” “Why not?” I replied. “I want to study the bible with you and I believe in Jesus Christ.” Then someone said what I expected to hear all along: “You don’t believe in the same God that we believe in.” Members of the group then proceeded to give me several of the anti-Mormon talking points I heard on my mission. The group leader then called for a break at which point I left.

I know my friend Michelle was embarrassed by their behavior. Although she was a Born Again Christian and I a Mormon, we spent lots of time together. I guess you could say we dated for a short while, but we were more friends than anything else. We discussed the bible. We went to sporting events together. She asked me to take her to the Cardston Temple open house after it was renovated. And she invited me and my wife over to her and her husband’s place for dinner after we both married.

Recently I thought about how posting articles on evolution at mormonsandscience.com is a bit like going to the Christian bible study group. Those who attack my evolutionary posts sound a lot like the bible study group members. “You don’t know the true Jesus - You don’t understand evolution.” “You reject the true God - You reject evolution” (when actually I accept a lot of evolution). “You don’t belong in our group because you are not a believer - You should not be commenting on evolution because you are not a natural scientist.” “Your LDS church is full of falsehoods - Mormonsandscience.com is pseudo-science.”

It did not matter to the bible study group that I thought that they believed in the true God, that they embraced many correct Christian principles, and that their religion was mostly correct and good. Because I was Mormon I was heretical. In likewise manner, it does not matter to LDS evolutionists that I accept a great deal of evolution, that I believe that they understand science fairly well, and that I think that their acceptance of common descent is reasonable given the evidence. Because I reject common descent, they accuse me of being a misguided and confused scholar.

Don’t get me wrong; I am not pleading for acceptance. It does not hurt my feelings when people post nasty replies to my evolutionary posts. I do not care that I was kicked out of the Born Again Christian bible study group (I expected it), and I do not care that pro-evolution latter-day saints make false accusations against me and my site. I am confident and comfortable in what I write and that is all that matters to me.

The similarities between my experiences at the bible study session and mormonsandscience.com illustrate how intolerant and stupid people sound when they impugn me and others latter-day saints for not accepting common descent.

I am happy to say that, like my Born Again Christian friend Michelle, I receive comments at mormonsandscience.com from a couple of pro-evolutionists who are courteous and respectful. Notwithstanding our irreconcilable differences and spirited debates, we get along well and respect one another. I hold them in high regard as I did my friend Michelle. They know how to get along and disagree without being disagreeable, a Christian quality.

I'm very sorry if I have ever made you feel unwelcome. You are always welcome at my blog.

Do I believe evolution a.) is real and b.) is critically important for society to understand? (Example: look at the advances in medicine that are based off of the understanding diseases mutate as evolution predicts.) Yes.

Do I believe your views play an important part in the LDS blogosphere? Yes again. We do need people to be skeptical of science. But it is my job as a scientist to be truthful about evolution being real and very important for society to embrace.

However, and I've said this on S. Faux's blog: This is the good ship Zion. We are on the same team. We will sail into celestial harbors together, so despite any differences I express, I hope you know I really appreciate you being around.

A team without any of it's players just isn't the same.

Again, I'm sorry if I have made you feel unwelcome. I am happy you are a part of the blogosphere.

Let's not be too quick to play the victim card here. Your posts have nothing to do with "studying evolution" or anything like that. We evolutionists see you more in terms of the anti-mormon who shows up to sunday school class. You don't have much anything positive to contribute to the lesson, but instead keep harping on issues that nobody else in the class thinks are as grand as you think they are.

Now, of course this is your blog and you can do what you want. However, if somebody decides to start holding anti-Mormon study groups for the open public, you can't be surprised if a lot of people who already know a lot about Mormonism show up and call him out on a few things.

Reply

a Reader

4/21/2010 12:12:13 pm

You could have saved a lot of typing by writing simply, "Anyone who argues with me is intolerant and stupid." That summary wouldn't be an objectively true statement, but it would have saved you a lot of typing.

I hope I am not on the "intolerant" list, even if I am blunt with my language sometimes. I (mostly) enjoy your views, even when I disagree with them. Further, I understand that you accept a limited form of evolution. You are welcome in my scientific meetings anytime, especially when we read from Darwin.

Further, I look forward to your comments on Mormon Insights.

A testimony of the gospel is INFINITELY more important than what one thinks of evolution. So, I know we are ultimately on the same side.

I just hope there is always room for us orthodox evolutionists in the Church. No Church leader has told me otherwise.

Reply

Dave C.

4/22/2010 04:49:33 am

Joseph Smidt,

Thanks. I have appreciated your constructive comments even when we disagree.

Reply

Dave C.

4/22/2010 04:51:10 am

Jeff,

"We evolutionists see you more in terms of the anti-mormon who shows up to sunday school class. You don't have much anything positive to contribute to the lesson, but instead keep harping on issues that nobody else in the class thinks are as grand as you think they are."

-You obviously like to hear my 'harping' because you keep dropping by.

Reply

Dave C.

4/22/2010 04:53:46 am

a Reader,

"You could have saved a lot of typing by writing simply, "Anyone who argues with me is intolerant and stupid."

- I will leave the post up for a while so you can re-read it and correct your misinterpretation.

Reply

Dave C.

4/22/2010 04:58:52 am

SFaux,

Thanks. I appreciate the comments you've made in the past. They've been informative and helpful.

I am LDS. I see no conflict between evolution and belief, its all a matter of education on BOTH subjects.

Logic 101; Evolution, like all science is based on evidence-that which is objective- all religion is based on belief; that which is subject. A true faith has no fear of free inquiry into science, including evolution.

As to the anti-Mormon 'born-againers' those are fundamentalist protestants, and they are intolerant of all not fundamentalist, to them, all non-fundamentalist are 'cults,' to them, Mormons are one of those cult.